On baseball

Texas Rangers in hunt for Roy Halladay

They have the farm talent to net Toronto Blue Jays ace

July 31, 2009|By Phil Rogers

Nolan Ryan knows a little bit about pitching. His influence on the Texas pitching staff, especially his willingness to pay heavily for pitching coach Mike Maddux, has helped the Rangers cut their staff earned-run average from 5.37 in 2008, which ranked last in the American League, to a respectable 4.22, which is sixth.

But Ryan, the Rangers' fully engaged team president, might make his biggest contribution Friday. He has been working in the background to encourage general manager Jon Daniels' pursuit of Roy Halladay, which just could give Texas its first truly dominating pitcher since Ryan returned in 1993.

With Friday's 3 p.m. deadline for non-waiver trades fast approaching, sources indicated the Rangers had increased their aggressiveness in the Halladay talks as many other teams backed out.

The Phillies filled their need Wednesday, acquiring left-hander Cliff Lee from the Indians. The Red Sox, Yankees, Angels and Rays appeared still to be monitoring the situation Thursday night but only the Dodgers and Rangers were known to be engaged in talks that still offered promise of a deal.

The time for gamesmanship is running out but Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi seems to love poker. He said Thursday his hopes for dealing Halladay were "dead," even as he continued talking to executives from the Dodgers and Rangers. The Rangers are an intriguing late entrant into the picture, as Baseball America and others rank the Rangers' farm system as the deepest -- or one of the deepest -- in talent in the minors.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus, a candidate for American League Rookie of the Year, is an untouchable but Texas has high-level pitching prospects in lefty Derek Holland and right-hander Neftali Feliz, along with two highly regarded young catchers, Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Add in outfielder Julio Borbon and first baseman Justin Smoak, and Daniels definitely could hold Ricciardi's attention. There are two questions on the Texas end: Is the chance to win with Halladay this year or next good enough to pay the huge asking price, and can the finances be managed with owner Tom Hicks looking for a buyer?

The Dodgers, no longer considered the team to beat in the National League, should be looking for an answer to the Phillies' deal for Lee. They did trade for a significant part Thursday, adding All-Star lefty George Sherrill to the bullpen, but their rotation could use Halladay.

The Cubs' addition of Pirates' lefties John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny put a close to ongoing talks between those teams.

But with Reed Johnson on the disabled list, the Cubs were among the teams exploring ways to add a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Kansas City's Mark Teahen is a good bet to go somewhere Friday, possibly to the Cubs.

Cleveland continues to shop switch-hitter Victor Martinez, with Boston remaining engaged in talks, and the Yankees are looking for ways to add to their rotation.

Mariners lefty Jarrod Washburn has been atop that list for a while but the teams haven't been able to find a match.

The Red Sox are also talking to the Padres about All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, but the Padres would need almost as big of a package for Gonzalez as the Blue Jays are trying to get for Halladay.